" Most of the time the immigrants have no choice, but to move here because it is a better country. Weather they want to be here or not they need to learn English because it is the dominat languange. Why should we have ESL instructors when we already have English teachers. Students should be held back if they can not keep up like it always has been. I am also a hispanic and because someone cant speak English does not mean they need special treatment. It's a dog eat dog world out there, stop complaining and move on. Millions of generations before all them have done it so why cant they! As for CJ your wife was given the oportunity to learn a second language as well in order to graduate high school; she had the opportunity to succed and was as ignorant as you and probalby chose German a language which is not very useful here in the United States!!! "

" LM, return to the article. We're not talking about coddling immigrants - We're talking about PUBLIC SCHOOL - which will either graduate English-speaking CHILDREN, or English-illiterate children. Which do we want?

For the record, I agree 100% that citizenship tests, documents, driver licenses (and testing), road signs - and every other official document of every branch and level of government be in the national language - and it be ENGLISH.

I agree that "immigrants" (adults) should be REQUIRED to speak the language proficiently before they're allowed to naturalize. This is required by other countries, Belgium, for instance.

We should, however, safeguard, build and invest in the future of the country and the future productivity, prosperity, and happiness of the children in the charge of our society by insuring every kid in public school gets the shot at a level of literacy that will facilitate and foster academic-level achievement.

This isn't at all about "fair": It's about the most fiscally responsible LONG-TERM strategy for this country. Illiterate residents (legal or not) are a drain on the economy, while literate ones are an asset. This is about the wisest thing that can be done from where we are - not from where some would like to be. "

" Lacr0ix,
You assume that these kids have never been exposed it English. What about immigrant families (whether legal or illegal) who are living here, but making no attempt to learn the language. My tax dollars are being used to produce literature in other languages. Why should a DMV Driver book be printed in Spanish?!?! All of the street signs are in English! If you can't read English, then you shouldn't be driving here! Holding the hand of immigrants who are making no attempt to learn the language of the United States is not helping anyone. If an immigrant is looking for a better way of life, then two years is plenty of time to learn the language with immersion into the American culture. "

" People come to this country due to wanting to be free. Our 5th ammendment is freedom of speech. That ammendment does not say that you have to speak english. I think that measure 58 sounds 1 sided and that it may have been written by a supremist. If an american goes to another country we are given time to learn the language.. we should give others the same respect "

" LacrOix--thank you for providing another point of view amidst all of this negativity. "

" 2 years is plenty - Indeed, if we were talking about two years of actual schooling in English.

What ESL actually provides is THIRTY MINUTES PER SCHOOL DAY - to learn an entirely alien language. Those of us who are from English-speaking families didn't get full literacy with such meager training. Check out this comments section for proof!

As for "get by" level - I suppose that would be great - for a burger-flipper - But, Isn't public education supposed to produce more?

One cannot demand for people to "integrate" while withholding the means to do so. One cannot expect that people will integrate while stifling their attempts.

"Those people" are kids who do not have a choice where they are or how they got here. Should they "just be able to speak English" - despite having never been exposed to it?

This country can adopt them - or suffer the consequences that come with an insurgent population of bitterly disenfranchised and angrily unemployable people.

The pure economics are teaching them in school is cheaper than feeding them in prison. This reality applies to people of every color and origin - even the home-grown ones. "

" okay maybe I am not reading into this right, sadly I have my ballot book out but have not actually read it yet.
so with that being said I have been out of school for almost 12 years now and when I was in high school it was required to take a foreign language for a year, that was something you had to do in order to graduate and it was NOT just spanish but it was a requirement. if you so desired you could continue your language education for as high up as you wanted to take it but it was optional. Why should that change, I feel at that age you should be able to decide if you would like to continue and there should be no boundaries on learning a different language if you so choose. I do think if you are in this country you should learn english as that is the language we speak but also if you leave this country you should expect the same, but the option should be there if you would like to be bilingual. "

" So let me see, I get to choose between someone totally ignorant and unable to find a job or we can teach them for however long it takes to learn algebra, history, etc., so that they can make a living wage and pay taxes and support the education of others. What idiot can't make this decision? This is yet another BM by Sizemore and the extremests who fund him to destroy the morals and the infrastructure of Oregon. "

" I disagree with my tax dollars being spent on ESL classes, books, etc. If the student is a citizen of the United States, then that student should speak English. I wouldn't assume that if I moved to a different country that spoke a different language, that I would get special treatment! Two years is way to long! "

" In response to ThatGirl. I do step out of my front door every day. And what do i see? Signs in Spanish as well as English, ATM's in spanish, make phone calls to companies "To proceed in English press 1" The debit/ credit card machines at stores in English and Spanish... must I go on? In all the schools which culture is in the ESL classes???? Spanish/Mexican You don't see French, German, Italian.... you see Hispanics. So was i wrong for the assumption that this has to do with spanish speaking individuals?
I am fully aware of the many cultures that make up the United States. Hell my great grandparents were Czech... but did they come here and expect their new country to adapt to them and pick up the Czech language? No! They learned English which was expected of them.
This country which i have fought and bled for (2 tours, one in Iraq and one in Afghanistan you can find my brick on the Veterans Memorial in Veterans Park, right next to one of pillars) is catering to these individuals' needs and basically saying, it's ok to not learn the language, we'll adapt to your needs. I currently live in El Paso (hurray for me) and i find it rather sad that my wife can't get a job here because she doesn't speak spanish. How would you react if you couldn't get a job in your own country because you don't speak the language of a different one. and these are for basic jobs.
And anyone who speaks their mind on this issue is called a "hillbilly redneck" "a
racist" by the liberal media.
And i am so sorry if i offended people with my "smart" remarks. (notice sarcasm) I don't care. This is how i feel, and those are my views. so i will open it up. If want to live in the United States and make a life for yourself here. Learn the language or go back to Mexico, Russia, Germany, France, Brazil, Spain, Congo, Poland, Sweden, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Indonesia, Mongolia, Japan, China.......... I think you get my point.
So in conclusion, That Girl..... i was born and raised in Klamath Falls Oregon. I am not ignorant, I have just opened my eyes to what is happening to this country, and fear for where it is headed. As for the hillbilly redneck from the boonies comment.... far from. But if that is the way you see it.... Hillbilly Pride baby! At least they'll have my back. "

" I feel that what ever country you are in, you need to understand that language! Do you think tat any other country is going to go out of their way to offer special classes because we can't speak the language !?!?! No! so why do we as the U S A ??? If you are here know the language! No free rides or special treatment ! Have you ever been to a fast food place or a 7-11 in woodburn OR. ?? NO ONE SPEAKS ENGLISH ! What has happened ???!!!! "

" People learn languages at different rates and depths. It is much easier for children to learn a new language, esp. at age 2, than it is for elderly persons. We should offer free community ESL classes for adults on an ongoing basis but 2 years for school-age children is a good start. If they need more help after this, they can go into a special Continuation class for more instruction. "

" This is in response to CJ. I understand what your saying as far as speaking English if you live in the USA. It is very important, I have seen first hand how difficult it is when you are unable to understand or communicate with somebody. I don't agree with the smart remark you made " I'm assuming this is predominantly for spanish speaking individuals. If you want to live in the United States.. learn english. Otherwise go back to Mexico or wherever it is you came from! " Did you forget how many other cultures there are in the USA that don't speak engligh either? Maybe you should step to your front door & look around!
You must be a redneck from the the boonies hillbilly.You Sir sound very "ignorant" by they way I'm assuming you like Mexican FOOD right? "

" I agree 100% with you fireye. And ap... maybe i am quick to stereotype but stereotypes are based on facts. You were born in Mexico, brought to the U.S..... do your parents even know English?
2 years of schooling to teach a person english is plenty. Why neglect the children born in the United States by "pandering" to the non-english speaking kids' needs. Additional time to learn english can be spent at home because i am sure that if the children can't speak english then the parents don't either.
If you choose move and live in the United States for a better life i'm all for it. But don't abuse the system, learn the language. I know many hispanic families whose parents refuse to learn english yet they rape the system for all it's worth and do nothing but complain about their short-commings and how horrible the U.S. is to them. All because they don't want to put forth the effort and expect their new country to cater to them.
If you move to a country learn the native language of that country. Plain and simple. 2 years is long enough to learn a language enough to get by so long as you put forth the effort. However if you don't use it you will lose it. "

" If they can't speak English they should not even be allowed in. While the teachers are busy pandering to illegals that can't speak English the English speaking kids suffer neglect. You cannot endlessly allow your own culture to be diluted or else you will lose your own culture.
Especially when they refuse to integrate and assimilate. Just look at the crime statistics concerning race and culture in this country that nobody ever like to talk about for fear of being called a "racist'. "Multiculturalism" only works if the invading culture assimilates and the numbers are kept in much lower proportions to the native culture. History is full of examples of one culture being destroyed by the uncontrolled invasion of another usually as a plan of subversion of the invaded culture. "

" Cj you are very quick to stereotype.. I am an individual born in Mexico and was brought to the U.S. at a young age. It was difficult at first to try and keep up in an all english school but I learned that you have to adapt quickly or you won't make it. Even so I graduated from high school with my best grades and best work in my english honors classes. Most of the time my work in english was better than all the other students in there, keep in mind that they were all mostly American, I know that other people in my situation are focusing more on learning English than any other language. With all do respect the more we try to adapt to the American way of living and culture it seems that people tend to criticize us more. "

" With the current economic situation, many school and government budgets will be even tighter than ever before. By not having to print everything in multiple languages, they should all be able to save some money.

And I agree that 2 years is enough time to learn English to a "get-by" level. "

" 2 years is plenty. If you can't speak english then why are you even living in the United States. It's time to stop "adapting" to other languages. I'm assuming this is predominantly for spanish speaking individuals. If you want to live in the United States.. learn english. Otherwise go back to Mexico or wherever it is you came from! "